Are Mechanical Keyboard Keys Harder to Press?

Replies

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  Steve Gracia

  Switched from Apple Magic Keyboard to Mechanical Keyboard - Keychron Q6 about 3 months ago. Never been happier.

  I'd be more than happy to shed some light on your questions about mechanical keyboards and how they compare to the Apple Magic Keyboard.

  To answer your first question, whether the keys on mechanical keyboards are harder to press, it's essential to understand that there are various types of mechanical switches that vary in actuation force (the amount of force required to activate the key).

  Here's a brief rundown of the most common mechanical switch types:

  Linear switches (e.g., Cherry MX Red, Gateron Red):

  These have a smooth, consistent keystroke with no tactile bump or audible click. I went to the store to check and was thoroughly impressed.

  The actuation force required for these switches is typically around 45g, making them relatively light to press.

  Tactile switches (e.g., Cherry MX Brown, Gateron Brown):

  These switches have a tactile bump when the key is actuated, providing a slight feedback to the typist.

  They generally have a similar actuation force to linear switches, around 45g-55g.

  Clicky switches (e.g., Cherry MX Blue, Gateron Blue): These switches have both a tactile bump and an audible click upon actuation, making them more "noisy" than other types. The actuation force varies but is typically around 50g-60g.

  Compared to the Apple Magic Keyboard, which uses scissor-switch technology, mechanical keyboards may feel harder or easier to press depending on the specific switch type.

  Scissor-switch keyboards require an actuation force of around 45g-55g and have a lower key travel distance.

  So, in general, mechanical keyboards with linear or tactile switches should have a similar actuation force to the Apple Magic Keyboard, while clicky switches might require slightly more force.

  As for typing experience, this is highly subjective and depends on personal preferences.

  Some people prefer the tactile feedback and longer key travel distance of mechanical keyboards, which can lead to increased typing speed and accuracy for some users.

  In contrast, others prefer the low-profile and quiet nature of the Apple Magic Keyboard. A mechanical keyboard may be better suited for long typing sessions, gaming, or if you enjoy a more audible and tactile typing experience.

  The Apple Magic Keyboard, on the other hand, is more portable, sleek, and provides a more subtle typing experience.

  To conclude, whether the keys on mechanical keyboards are harder to press depends on the switch type and how it compares to the scissor-switch mechanism of the Apple Magic Keyboard.

  As for the typing experience, it's largely subjective and comes down to personal preference.

  I'd recommend trying out a few different mechanical keyboards with various switch types to find the one that suits your typing style and preferences best.

  Happy typing!
• 

  Bruce Wathan

  The typing experience on Apple keyboard is much better than the mechanical keyboard. I'd highly recommend actually using a mechanical keyboard before you consider switching.

  The travel on the Magic Keyboard is minimal; which makes it easier to type on. But if you really want the click-click-click sound when you type (which I find very irritating), go for a mechanical keyboard.